Project Manager

Laing O'Rourke; Oxford; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Laing O'Rourke, delivering a landmark life sciences development—Vaccinology Centre and Pandemic Sciences Centre—in Oxford, seeks a Project Manager to own planning, coordination and delivery of this technically complex project. You will lead multidisciplinary teams, manage budgets, programs and resources, and ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.

Working closely with the University of Oxford, researchers, consultants and subcontractors, you will drive digital engineering adoption,

Qualifications

• Fit-out trade background or degree in Construction Management, Engineering or related discipline.
• Proven track record delivering large-scale construction projects £50m+.
• Experience in life sciences, healthcare or research environments.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day management from construction through to handover.
• Develop and monitor delivery strategies, programmes and budgets.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams for lab, research and education spaces.
• Oversee serviced laboratories, MEP systems and critical infrastructure.
• Ensure health, safety, environmental and quality standards compliance.
• Govern risk, forecasting and change control activities.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Project delivery

BIM

Delivery leadership

Education

Degree in Construction Management

Engineering degree

Tools

BIM

MS Project

Cost management tools

Job description

Laing O'Rourke is seeking a Project Manager to lead the delivery of one of the UK's most ambitious and high-profile life sciences developments: a state-of-the-art Vaccinology Centre and Pandemic Sciences Centre in Oxford.

This landmark project will bring together world-leading expertise in vaccine research, pandemic sciences, epidemiology, disease surveillance, translational medicine, clinical trials, education and training within a single, purpose-built environment. Scheduled for completion in 2028, the development will play a vital role in enhancing the UK's pandemic preparedness and advancing globally recognised scientific research.

As Project Manager, you will take ownership of the successful planning, coordination and delivery of this technically complex and strategically important project. Working closely with the University of Oxford, research partners, consultants, specialist subcontractors and internal delivery teams, you will help create a world-class facility that will support groundbreaking scientific discovery for generations to come.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day management and successful delivery of a major life sciences research facility from construction through to completion and handover.
• Develop, manage and monitor project delivery strategies, execution plans, programmes, budgets and resource requirements.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams to ensure the seamless integration of laboratory, research, education and collaborative spaces.
• Oversee the delivery of highly serviced laboratory environments, specialist MEP systems, clean rooms and critical infrastructure.
• Ensure full compliance with all health, safety, environmental and quality standards.
• Monitor project performance against programme, cost and quality objectives, implementing corrective actions as required.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with the University of Oxford, design consultants, researchers, end users and supply chain partners.
• Lead project governance activities including reporting, forecasting, risk management and change control.
• Drive the adoption of digital engineering, BIM and modern methods of construction throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support commissioning, validation and handover activities to ensure facilities are fully operational and fit for purpose.
• Champion sustainability initiatives and support the achievement of environmental and net-zero objectives.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing project culture aligned with Laing O'Rourke's values of Care, Integrity and Courage.

About You

Essential

• Fit-out trade background or degree qualified in Construction Management, Engineering or a related discipline.
• Proven track record of delivering large-scale construction projects valued at £50m+.
• Experience managing complex projects within life sciences, healthcare, pharmaceutical, higher education, advanced technology or research environments.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management and project delivery capabilities.

Desirable

• Experience delivering laboratory, containment, pharmaceutical manufacturing or scientific research facilities.
• Knowledge of specialist laboratory systems, controlled environments and complex research infrastructure.
• Familiarity with commissioning and validation processes within highly regulated environments.

Don't match all the criteria? We are open and always happy to hear from people with transferable skill sets and a commitment to learning.

About us

We are an international engineering and construction company delivering state-of-the-art infrastructure and buildings projects for clients in the UK, Middle East and Australia.

Certainty, reliability, quality – this is what our clients want. And at Laing O'Rourke, we have more than 150 years of experience delivering it. Laing O'Rourke's story is one of energy, passion, ambition, people and teamwork. We harness the power of our experience, stretching back over a century and a half to deliver certainty for our clients.

As part of the Disability Confident scheme, we would like to enable access to candidates with long term health conditions and disabilities through the ‘Offer an interview scheme'. This supports applicants that meet the essential criteria by offering an interview for the advertised position. Please let us know prior to interview what adjustments are required as well as discussing how we can support you in the workplace.

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